The waltz is the most popular musical style for 3/4 time within Scotland, however, 3/4 time signatures aren’t always waltzes. Some of the compositionls below are Airs and 4/4 Reels with 3/4 bars interspersed for effect (such as in Frank Egan). In Scandanavian countries, the 3/4 time is used for Polska.
The waltz was taught by travelling dancing masters to those who could afford their lessons during the 19th century. By the end of that century, the dance spread to the middle and lower classes of Irish and Scottish societies and traditional triple-tune tunes and songs were altered to fit the waltz rhythm. During the 20th century, the waltz found a distinctive playing style in the hands of cèilidh musicians at dances.
Here’s the tradtitional Scottish waltz ‘Fear a’ Bhàta’ (translated The boatman).
This is a Scots Gaelic song from the late 18th century, written by Sìne NicFhionnlaigh (Jean Finlayson) of Tong who was courting a young fisherman from Uig, Dòmhnall MacRath. The song captures the emotions that she endured during their courtship. The part of the story that is rarely told is that they were married not long after she composed the song.
This video was filmed in Kilmarnock one Saturday afternoon at the height of the Pandemic.
You are most welcome to browse, download and play any of the compositions. All compositions remain copyright © John C Grant. You can download all PDFs here
| Name | Collection |
|---|---|
| A Scottish Memory | The Kilmarnock Collection,The Three Six Five Collection |
| Ann & Hugh's Golden Wedding | The Kilmarnock Collection,The Three Six Five Collection |
| Frank Egan | The Kilmarnock Collection,The Three Six Five Collection |
| Freya Rose Young | The Three Six Five Collection |
| Hannes Oljelund | The Kilmarnock Collection,The Three Six Five Collection |
| Iain and Janice Shand | The Kilmarnock Collection,The Three Six Five Collection |
| Jim and Magdalena Kennedy | The Kilmarnock Collection,The Three Six Five Collection |
| John Campbell | The Kilmarnock Collection,The Three Six Five Collection |
| June Crawford | The Kilmarnock Collection,The Three Six Five Collection |
| Kilmarnock | The Kilmarnock Collection,The Three Six Five Collection |
| Louise and Carrie Grant | The Kilmarnock Collection,The Three Six Five Collection |
| Madog ap Llywelyn | The Kilmarnock Collection,The Three Six Five Collection |
| Marelle's Birthday Waltz | The Kilmarnock Collection,The Three Six Five Collection |
| Mo Mhire mo Mhùirn | The Kilmarnock Collection,The Three Six Five Collection |
| Mr & Mrs A Kerr | The Kilmarnock Collection,The Three Six Five Collection |
| Mr & Mrs D Meldrum | The Kilmarnock Collection,The Three Six Five Collection |
| Mr & Mrs J Chaplin-Brice | The Kilmarnock Collection,The Three Six Five Collection |
| Nelly and Jason's Waltz | The Kilmarnock Collection,The Three Six Five Collection |
| Ross and Catriona Morris | The Kilmarnock Collection,The Three Six Five Collection |
| Scott Muir and Elena Lievesley | The Three Six Five Collection |
| Sharon Thomson | The Kilmarnock Collection,The Three Six Five Collection |
| Sorcha mo Ghraidh | The Kilmarnock Collection,The Three Six Five Collection |
| The Uninvited Guests | The Kilmarnock Collection,The Three Six Five Collection |
| The Walkers of South Uist | The Kilmarnock Collection,The Three Six Five Collection |
